Singlespeed & Fixed Gear"I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five.
Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

I am new to this forum. Just got a Light Blue 2010 Fuji Feather at Performance for 360, around 400 after tax. Good Deal?
Just got down the trackstand and skidding, but now my tires/ tubes are losing grip n probably gonna pop soon.
Whats a good, but cheap, tube I can buy in bulk, and from where?
Also, should I opt for expensive tires, or cheaper, how much difference do they make?
I have been checking out Continentals.
I will remove my brakes once im a bit better at skidding so they may wear out faster than normal.

Bike is just for college campus riding, nothing out on the street.
The brakes just don't aesthetically fit on my bike.
There isnt a bike lane on half of the streets here so I wouldn't dare ride on the streets.

Should I get a nice tire in the front, and a few cheap ones for the back to switch through as they die out?

Does it really matter the quality of the tube? Or should it just be a buy in bulk for the cheapest thing? Are the tires really the key in preventing a puncture? I ride in NYC all around Manhattan and Brooklyn, but I was thinking of getting the gatorskins, but wanted to know about the tubes too b/c I already have a flat...

I am thinking Rando. Tubes last long time with a patch kit and they age so there isn't much point in stocking up a ton. I won't let go my tubes unless it has about a half dozen patches or crackings near valves.

Brakeless won't be so bad if you live in area with no cars / pedestrians around for miles. ... It's just I live in the center city and I am older these days. Plus, I hate to get into legal troubles. Having brake ain't so bad. (Looks less cool crashing into things, you see? Even less cool paying for damages and stuff.)

Don't worry about so much trashing here. Time to time people go excessively arse. Tough time, you know? I just filter trash out in my head. Easy to do.

Conti ultra sport from ebay. They are dirt cheap in bulk and skid very nicely if you don't mind if they have no puncture protection whatsoever other than the rubber they're made of; but like the saying goes you get what you pay for.

Well I basically ride NYC and I have heard from a bunch up here that cont. gatorskins are the way to go. I don't skid often, but might be soon. I need more practice but eventually want to take off my back brake. I just wanted to know about tubes and quality and whether it matters much. If I can patch my tube and buy a gatorskin that will help it last then thats fine with me. Or just tubes 2 or 3 at a time if anyone knows a place and wants to be helpful...Anyone know how gatorskins hold up to skidding?

I find I can get about 3-4 months out of a gatorskin on the rear with ambidextrous skidding and 17 skid patches. That's riding about 20km each day brakeless, and of course more on weekends and when I feel like it.

Front tyre doesn't matter as much, just get one that you like. And as far as tubes go the more expensive ones are lighter and possibly hold air better but that's about it.

I find I can get about 3-4 months out of a gatorskin on the rear with ambidextrous skidding and 17 skid patches. That's riding about 20km each day brakeless, and of course more on weekends and when I feel like it.

Front tyre doesn't matter as much, just get one that you like. And as far as tubes go the more expensive ones are lighter and possibly hold air better but that's about it.

I have gatorskins and so far they have been great. One of the better tires I've ever ridden. It is grippy in most conditions, low rolling resistance, and they last forever. They seem to just make me feel faster in general. I definitely think they are worth the extra money. Especially if you go through 2-3 cheaper tires in the time you go through 1 gatorskin.